Rick James later made ludicrous attempts to keep up with Prince, but on 1981's Street Songs, he stands in no one's shadow. This is, of course, the album that gave us "Super Freak," but James also scores with several funk p... more &raquorotest numbers, including the bitter "Mr. Policeman" and the celebratory "Below the Funk (Pass the J)." Prince ended up running a much longer way with the "punk funk" ball; still, James executed more than one or two good plays here. --Rickey Wright&laquo less

Synopsis

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Rick James later made ludicrous attempts to keep up with Prince, but on 1981's Street Songs, he stands in no one's shadow. This is, of course, the album that gave us "Super Freak," but James also scores with several funk protest numbers, including the bitter "Mr. Policeman" and the celebratory "Below the Funk (Pass the J)." Prince ended up running a much longer way with the "punk funk" ball; still, James executed more than one or two good plays here. --Rickey Wright

CD Reviews

Street reality

09/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"as writter,arranger,producer,instrumentalist,vocalist Rick blew up with the pre-cursor to so-called gangsta rap. his honesty in his voices about sex,police brutality,Mary jane,his roots and up bringing. and the music is dynamite from Fire&desire with Lady T,give it to me baby,super freak,ghetto life, etc.. soul-ful and a classic to this day. the punk funk king is in full-effect on this album. before snoop,Quik,slick Rick,early Ice cube 2pac, etc Rick James was front and center on the street tip."

Street Life

Thomas Magnum | NJ, USA | 09/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...in his hey day, he produced some superior funk music. Street Songs ranks with any funk album and Mr. James has never been better. The album features the ubiquitous "Super Freak" which has taken on a life of its own. Despite the overplay of it, the song has a vicious bass line and is a master groove. There are other superb cuts on the album like the sultry "Give It To Me Baby", the open come on of "Make Love To Me", the smoldering "Fire & Desire" and "Call Me". The album isn't all about parties as he speaks of inner city troubles in "Ghetto Love" that is set over a sweet groove, the scathing indictment of police indifference in "Mr. Policeman" and the drug scene in "Below The Funk (Pass The J)"..."

Street Songs is Rick James at his best.

Thomas Magnum | 08/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Street Songs contains a little bit of everything. You have a whole lot of "funk" and a little bit of blues all rolled up into one cd. This is one of Rick's best pieces."